Menocal, Mario García

Menocal, Mario García

(mä`ryō gärsē`ä mānokäl`), 1866–1941, president of Cuba (1913–21). A leader in the fight for liberation from Spain, he later became a Conservative politician. As president he initiated a "businessman" government that was widely criticized as corrupt and arbitrary. His victory in the 1916 election was challenged by the Liberals, and José Miguel Gómez subsequently led an unsuccessful revolt against his regime. Menocal secured U.S. support by taking Cuba into World War I on the side of the Allies. In 1920, Menocal backed Alfredo ZayasZayas, Alfredo
, 1861–1934, president of Cuba (1921–25). He was one of the leaders of the Liberal party from the founding of the republic and was vice president (1909–13) under José Miguel Gómez.
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 and in 1924 he lost to Gerardo MachadoMachado, Gerardo
, 1871–1939, president of Cuba (1925–33). A businessman turned presidential candidate in 1924, he channeled the resurgent nationalism of the era. His victory over Menocal in the 1924 election, was aided by President Zayas.
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. After leading (1931) an abortive revolt, he sought exile in the United States; when the Machado government fell, he returned to Cuba. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1936.